Liverpool's Emile Heskey scores the first of his two goals
Premierleague.com rifles through the annals of the Barclays Premier League and finds significant events that took place on this day.
On this day: Review of February
9 February 2002: Ipswich 0-6 Liverpool
Having scored four times without conceding away to Leeds United six days earlier, Liverpool did even better on their trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town. Two-up at half-time through Abel Xavier, who had just signed from Everton, and Emile Heskey, Phil Thompson’s team ran riot in the second half scoring four more, including two from Michael Owen and another from Heskey to give cheer to Gerard Houllier, their manager, who was recovering from heart surgery.
"You can see the confidence flooding through the team"
Phil Thompson
The margin of victory allowed Thompson, the assistant manager, to bring off Jerzy Dudek in goal after 55 mintues and give Pegguy Arphexad some action. The win sent Liverpool above Manchester United and Newcastle United to the top of the Barclays Premier League, albeit for 24 hours.
“The players gave a great display, and their work-rate was the most vital part - you can see the confidence flooding through the team,” Thompson said.
George Burley, the Ipswich Town manager, was relieved the margin of victory was not greater. "We were fortunate to get away with 6-0 as they created so many chances - we were over-awed in the second half,” he said.
Manchester United returned to the top after beating Charlton Athletic 2-0 the next day. Liverpool went on to finish second behind Arsenal.
